The Best and Worst of Idris Elba

The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I take a look at the filmography of "Finding Dory" star Idris Elba.

Films starring Idris Elba that I've seen:
28 Weeks Later
American Gangster 
Rock N'Rolla
The Losers
Takers
Thor 
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Prometheus
Pacific Rim
Thor: The Dark World
The Gunman
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Beasts of No Nation
Zootopia 

Best Performance: Beasts of No Nation (2015)
This performance is one for the ages. Elba is a terrifying and commanding presence as the malicious  head of an African child army in this vastly underrated Netflix original movie. The fact that Elba wasn't recognized for this performance (he didn't even get nominated for a Golden Globe or Academy Award) by anyone besides the Screen Actors Guild completely boggles my mind.

Worst Performance: The Gunman (2015)
The Gunman should be re-named "watch excellent actors loaf around in a below average B-action movie". Elba and his similarly talented co-stars Javier Bardem, Mark Rylance and Sean Penn all seem like they only appeared in this dull and overly serious low-rent action/thriller for the paycheck. The charisma and immense screen presence he's used to be the best part of many a crap movie over the years is no where to be found here as he sleepwalks through his supporting role as a mild-mannered Interpol agent on the trail of a former contract killer (Penn) who has suddenly re-appeared on the grid after a lengthy, self-imposed exile. This is the only role I've ever seen Elba tank in and I wouldn't be surprised if he never turned in another performance this lazy for the rest of his career. 

Best Film: American Gangster (2007)
American Gangster was the last time I was reminded of just how spectacular Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator) can be when he's at the top of his game. Scott's take on the story of Harlem-based drug lord/crime boss Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington in one of his defining performances) is a vivid and enthralling film that captures the chaotic and free spirit of the late 60's/early 70's and exposes just how deep the police corruption was in New York City at this time. It may not be a Godfather or The Departed-level masterpiece, but American Gangster is still one of the most impressively-made and well-acted crime dramas I've ever seen.

Worst Film: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) 
I have a soft spot for the work of beloved thespian/lunatic Nicolas Cage and I honestly didn't think the first Ghost Rider film was nearly as bad as it's made it out to be, but there's just no defending the cinematic atrocity that is Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. If you toss out Elba's beautifully over-the-top performance as Ghost Rider's drunk preacher sidekick and a badass opening action sequence, there's just nothing worthwhile about this film. The quality of the acting rivals the world's worst community theater production, the story is absolutely nonsensical and worst of all, the film takes itself so god damn seriously that you can't help but facepalm throughout the film's 90-minute runtime. This film definitely has a spot alongside Hulk, Batman & Robin and Daredevil in the superhero genre Hall of Shame.    

 Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Free State of Jones" star Matthew McConaughey